Zach Randolph cleared of marijuana possession charge in plea deal

Zach Randolph earned three NBA Community Assist Awards during his eight years in Memphis. (AP)

Los Angeles prosecutors dropped the misdemeanor marijuana charge against Zach Randolph in exchange for the Sacramento Kings forward’s no contest plea to one misdemeanor count of resisting arrest and his commitment to 150 hours of community service, according to multiplereports.

According to the Associated Press, court documents stated that Randolph was in possession of “more than 28.5 grams of marijuana or more than four grams of concentrated cannabis or both,” which would exceed the one-ounce amount legalized for recreational use in California. However, prosecutors reduced charges against him in late August to misdemeanor counts of possession and resisting arrest.

Two weeks later, the marijuana charge was thrown out in exchange for Wednesday’s plea deal, which would also clear Randolph of the resisting arrest charge if he completes 150 hours of community service and steers clear of legal trouble for the next 12 months. He must also “not associate himself with or be around drug dealers as part of the terms of the deal.” TMZ Sports first reported the details.

“As we have said from the beginning, the reports regarding Zach Randolph were false and misleading. After being accused of marijuana possession, all charges have been dropped,” Randolph’s agent Ray Brothers told the AP. “He was never arrested with any marijuana in or on his possession. He has been cited for delaying a police officer. It’s defamatory for someone to say anything to the contrary.”

Additionally, Randolph’s community service seems like a mere formality. In Memphis, his charitable work helped forge a special bond with the city. A three-time recipient of the NBA’s Community Assist Award, Randolph was known to serve in ways ranging from buying tickets for underprivileged Grizzlies fans to paying their utility bills, so presumably his required 150 hours of service will come naturally.